Ivan Jasper, Navy Offensive Coordinator
Willie Fritz, Sam Houston State Head Coach
Tim Horton, Auburn Running Back's Coach
Mike Ayers, Wofford Head Coach

Jasper seems to be the favorite because he knows the Triple Option and comes from the Paul Johnson coaching tree.

Fritz would be a solid hire outside of the system and runs a high-tempo offense and has made two FCS title games, losing to NDSU both times.

Many know Horton, who coached at App for most of the 90's, was a finalist along with Satterfield last year and really wants to be a head coach.

Ayers is the shocker here as he seemed to have his roots down in Spartanburg, but with the defections from his staff, he might be wanting to get a nest egg before retiring.

I would probably rank them in the order you list them in terms of fit for that job.

Ayers in the SunBelt for a few years might be fun.

That's a good list.

Have no idea what they WILL do, what they SHOULD do is hire Tim Horton.

Don't they have to stick with the triple option? - that's what they have recruited for since they went back to it - not sure the fans want to go through a complete change in offensive philosophy again after the debacle the last time ---

WVAPPeer wrote:Don't they have to stick with the triple option? - that's what they have recruited for since they went back to it - not sure the fans want to go through a complete change in offensive philosophy again after the debacle the last time ---

Agree.

It seems many of their fans view the triple option as an integral part of their school/teams identity. If the AD strays from the option and hires a coach that runs some non-option based offense and struggles, that may create an adverse relationship between the AD and their fans. Whereas I believe the fanbase will give more leeway to an option coach.

my fear is they will hire Horton, great recruiter, loved by the players, couple of negatives is no head coaching experience, and he would use GS as a stepping stone, first offer, he is out the door. Ayers is really surprising, thought he would retire there, I wonder if GS and App leaving had something to do with him rethinking his career, might be looking at the SC and not liking what he sees in terms of the direction the conference is going

moehler wrote:my fear is they will hire Horton, great recruiter, loved by the players, couple of negatives is no head coaching experience, and he would use GS as a stepping stone, first offer, he is out the door. Ayers is really surprising, thought he would retire there, I wonder if GS and App leaving had something to do with him rethinking his career, might be looking at the SC and not liking what he sees in terms of the direction the conference is going

I agree, being the best in the SoCo won't mean much except NC.

Ayers was interviewed in Satesboro today.

It's being reported that Willie Fritz is their guy.

Fritz might actually make a decent transition offensively since he has run a zone read type offense at SHSU. They didn't really have a throwing QB in the years they made the title game and ran some wildcat too